The Edo state deputy governor, Hon Dennis Idahosa, has tasked leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ovia North East to show they are on ground by winning the Ovia federal constituency bye-election scheduled for August 16.

He said that the party expects nothing but victory in the federal constituency seat that became vacant following his (Idahosa) election as the deputy governor of the state.

According to a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Friday Aghedo, Idahosa stated this when the APC took their ward to ward campaign to Ofumwengbe, Ekiadolor, and Oluku communities in Ovia North-East.

The deputy governor noted that the party ought not to have any challenge winning the election considering the experience and pedigree of the leaders in the council area.

He told the leaders to ensure adequate mobilization of eligible voters across the room and cranny of the local government to secure victory for the party.

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“The job now belongs to you; mobilize, go to market places and speak to at least ten persons, convince them to come out to vote.

“If you are able to convince at least ten persons each, it becomes clear that we would be able to win Oluku Ward.

“But, if you hear the message of this campaign but decide to stand by the strength of your family alone, that is not what we expect of you,” he said.

Idahosa reminded the people of the developmental strides of Governor Monday Governor in the local government within such such short time in office.

He counselled Ekiadolor community not to waste their votes in support of opponents of the APC who do not know how to navigate the complexities of federal politics.

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According to him, “A vote for Omosede Gabriella Igbinedion as the Ovia federal constituency representative at the August 16 bye-election will expedite mass development.”

At Ofumwengbe community, he said the biggest project he had at hand was the presentation of the party’s candidate to the people and called for support.

“I can vouch for her, i know she would be able to perform more than I did while at the House of representatives,” he said.

Idahosa noted that Ofumwengbe is a known APC stronghold and was merely on ground for the campaign for formality sake.

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He said that he expected nothing short of a 100 percent votes here.

On her part, the APC candidate said her venture into politics was to see to the development of the federal constituency.

“I decided to step into politics and represent the people of Ovia federal constituency as I want to see its growth and development.

“I want to see better roads and better schools, I want to see better healthcare and electrification where there is none. I want to see water where there is none.

“I also want to see empowerment where there is none and farmers getting better deals as well as bring the dividends of democracy down to Ovia from Abuja.

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“I want to stand and legislate, make laws to ensure our country is safer and conducive for all the future generations, which is why I am here soliciting for your votes as I assure you – any one contesting against me is a learner,” she said.

Former deputy governor of the state, Lucky Imasuen commended Idahosa for his leadership role.

He said, “Governor Monday Okpebholo never made a mistake in making you his deputy.”

He called Omosede “a brand” whose presence at the Green Chambers of the National Assembly would open doors for the constituency.

Simirlarly, Dr. Pius Odubu, former deputy governor, counseled admonished the people on issue based campaign.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said that only nine political parties are participating in the forthcoming Edo State Bye-Elections for Ovia Federal Constituency and Edo Central Senatorial District.

Briefing journalists in Benin on Wednesday of its activities ahead of the bye-elections in the state, Edo State Resident Electoral Commission of INEC, Prof. Anugbum Onuoha, said though 14 political parties earlier showed interest and registered for the bye-elections, only nine political parties conducted primaries hence they are the parties the law allowed to participate in the bye-elections.

Recall the Ovia Federal Constituency seat and Edo Central Senatorial District seat were declared vacant after Senator Monday Okpehbolo and Hon. Dennis Idahosa emerged governor and deputy governor of Edo State respectively.

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The state REC listed the parties participating to include Action Alliance (AA), African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Congress (APC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Democratic Party (ADP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Prof. Onuoha said five others who indicated their interest to participate in the bye-elections didn’t conduct their primaries.

According to him, INEC officials visited the addresses stated for the day for their primaries but to their greatest amazement, the offices were under lock and keys.

Onuoha said besides those political parties that indicated their interest in the election, the Labour Party (LP) didn’t notify INEC of its intention to participate in the election, adding that the party’s primary was therefore not known or monitored by the INEC officials.

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“Fourteen political parties expressed interest. They gave us their address, we went there and we didn’t see anybody. Those ones include Accord, BOOT Party, National Rescue Movement (NRM), Young Progressive Party (YPP), they closed their office.

“So, 14 expressed their interest but the other nine closed their offices. So, Labour Party didn’t express their interest”, Onuoha said.

The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, while expressing his sadness over the unwillingness for intending voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), said a total of 101,617 uncollected PVCs are recorded in the seven local government areas that are participating in the election.

He added that out of the 719,504 that registered for the election, only 617887 have collected their PVCs.

He assured the residents of the affected areas of free, fair and credible Bye-Elections in the state,

The REC, who disclosed that all modalities to ensure a smooth exercise have been put in place, urged residents to go out en-mass to cast their votes for their choice candidates.

The All Progressives Congress has released a revised schedule of activities and timetable for the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State.

The party also sets nomination and expression of interest forms at a combined N50 million, offered significant concessions, including exemptions for female aspirants and persons with disabilities, and a 50% discount on nomination fees for youths aged 25 to 40.

According to the timetable issued on Tuesday by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, the schedule outlines a series of pre-election activities beginning with the release of the notice to the Ekiti State chapter on Friday, July 26, 2025.

The party said the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms is set to commence on Monday, August 26, 2025.

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It stated that the update of the party’s membership register for those eligible to participate in the primaries will take place from Monday, July 29, to Friday, August 9, 2025.

The ruling party said the expression of interest and nomination forms will be available for purchase from Monday, August 26, and will close on Friday, August 30, 2025.

The party said the last day for submission of completed forms, including the accompanying documents, is Thursday, September 11, 2025.

“Screening of aspirants is scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, while the publication of the screening results will be done the following day, Wednesday, September 24. Aspirants who are dissatisfied with the outcome of the screening may submit appeals on Thursday, September 25, 2025.

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“The ward congress to elect delegates is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2025, while appeals arising from the congress will be entertained on Monday, September 29. The party’s governorship primary election will take place on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, with the appeal process concluding on Thursday, October 2, 2025,” the timetable read.

The party said the cost of the nomination form has been pegged at ₦40 million, while the expression of interest form will cost ₦10 million, bringing the total to ₦50 million.

“Female aspirants and persons with disabilities are exempted from paying for the nomination form and are only required to purchase the expression of interest form. Youths aged 25 to 40 will receive a 50 percent discount on the nomination form,” it added.

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The party also announced that the forms would be available for purchase at the Directorate of Organisation at APC’s National Headquarters in Abuja. Meanwhile, the delegate form will cost ₦5,000.

The APC stressed that only financial members of the party whose membership has been active for at least three months before the release of the timetable will be eligible to participate.

The party urged interested members to contact its Directorate of Organisation or reach out via the contact number provided in the document.